Scores Attend Annual Blessing Of Animals

There were no lions, tigers or bears — they are not approved as pets in city limits — but lots of owners brought their dogs, cats and other household pets to last Saturday’s annual Blessing of the Animals at Mary Queen of Heaven Church in Mill Basin. Below (clockwise from top) Some of the many pet owners gather to have their pets blessed; Father Jamie Gigantiello performs the yearly ritual; a boy and his dog—Ryan Phanord of Mill Basin and his Beagle “Sammy”; Mill Basin resident Angela Marie Cosenza got her 4-year-oldMaltese “Sunshine” anointed; the DeMarco family (l. to r.) Domenick, 9, Deanna and Samantha, 6, with their family’s pets - two hamsters and “Hotty” the Dachsund. The Blessing of the Animals is a celebration of the Feast of St. Francis Assisi.